Night Sweats

Night sweats refer to any excess sweating occurring during the night that can drench sleepwear, sheets, and pillow cases and is NOT related to an overheated environment.

Infection with tuberculosis and lymphoma are diseases in which night sweats are a dominant symptom, but tuberculosis is uncommon in the industrialized countries of the world. Lymphoma and other cancers are possible causes, but they are usually associated with unexplained weight loss and fever.

Other diagnoses to consider in a person with night sweats include human immunodeficiency virus, gastroesophageal reflux disease, obstructive sleep apnea, hyperthyroidism, and hypoglycemia to name the most common causes.

Other infections such as infection of the valves of the heart (endocarditis), infection within the bone (osteomyelitis), or abscesses such as boils, appendicitis, tonsilitis/peritonsilar, diverticulitis, and perianal.

In women, a milder form of sweating at night is experienced during the perimenopause (the time when the hormonal levels of a fertile woman starts to drop), even up to over 7 years BEFORE menopause.

Medications can also be a source of increased sweating; although, the sweating is usually higher soon after the dose and is present all day (not just at night). Antihypertensives (such as clonidine), antipyretics, antidepressants, steroids, and drugs of abuse such as alcohol and heroin may cause night sweats. Medications that are specifically know for the possible side effect of sweating includes hydralazine, niacin, nitrogylcerine, sildenafil (Viagra), and tamoxifen.